Disneyland in California is a destination vacation for many families the entire year.

If you are planning your first trip to the iconic theme park, here are some must-read tips from AMA Disneyland travel experts Ashley Reid. She specializes in Disney products for AMA Travel at the Edmonton West branch. She shares her tips on Disneyland for first-timers to ensure your first trip is the most magical vacation possible.

1. Budget a few days to see everything

Downtown Disney, an energetic avenue leading to the entrances of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, is a lively, colourful array of innovative restaurants, interesting shops and dynamic entertainment venues.Paul Hiffmeyer /
Disneyland

The Disneyland Resort is comprised of Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District plus three hotels. Although you can get a compressed overview in a single day, four days are recommended to experience everything: about two days for each theme park and one or two nights allotted for Downtown Disney.

Disneyland is great year-round, but selecting the best time for you and your family depends on your interests.

Plan your Disneyland vacation for off-peak times like January/February or September/October. You’ll avoid the long lines you’d get at Christmas, spring break or summer vacation. Plus, prices will be more affordable.

“It’s the best of all worlds if you can get the time,” says Reid.

Seeking times of lower attendance? Plan a visit during the middle of the week in September through November or January to April. Reduced operating hours and attractions closed for refurbishment are possibilities, but overall, guest volume is lower.

Looking for the most complete Disneyland experience? Christmas, spring break and summer holidays offer extended hours with nearly all attractions operating. The trade off is that it can be quite a bit busier.

Seeking the spirit of the holiday season? Right after Nov. 11, Disney starts the magic of transforming their parks into a winter wonderland. Some of the popular rides and shows (Haunted Mansion, It’s A Small World and World of Color, for example) are changed over to a Christmas theme.

3. Get up close and personal with your Disney idol

Surfâs Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends at Disneyâs PCH Grill is just one of the interactive character dining experiences at the resortCourtesy: Disneyland

Finding your favourite character for a meet and greet photo op is easy. The Disney characters are scattered throughout the resort during your stay and information centres will let you know where and when they are scheduled to appear for some one-on-one time. The Disneyland Resort also offers character dining, an unforgettable meal with your favourite character.

4. Switch off

Utilize Disneyland’s rider switch program for attractions such as the classic Alice in Wonderland-inspired Mad Tea Party to ensure everyone has a great day.Paul Hiffmeyer /
Disneyland

If you have little ones who cannot ride an attraction or have no interest in riding one, take advantage of the rider switch program. This program (offered at most rides) allows one parent or adult to go on a ride with one child while the other adult waits with the child not riding. Then once the first set of riders are off, the parents swap so the waiting adult can go on the same ride without waiting in line.

5. Stop waiting, start riding

Buy your tickets before you go. Familiarize yourself with how Disney’s Fastpass Service works, so you can take full advantage of the program and limit the time spent waiting in long lines.

For those with super-tight schedules, the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket is valid for same-day entry into both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Theme Park and is designed for you to do both in one day. Also don’t forget to take advantage of single lines on certain popular rides, which will also cut down on the wait times.

By staying at a hotel located on the actual Disneyland resort, you’ll get extra park hours. With a five-day ticket, Reid says you’ll accrue an extra hour for each day — up to five extra hours for park fun. If you stay off-site, then you only get one extra hour, no matter the number of days. Staying on resort property also gives you access to a secret (quicker) entrance into Disney California Adventure park.

Another added bonus to staying on-site, asks Reid? Package delivery service. Being a resort guest means you can have your shopping bags sent back to your hotel, leaving your arms free to hug a life-sized Mickey.

This story was produced by Postmedia Works on behalf of Alberta Motor Association for commercial purposes. Postmedia’s editorial departments had no involvement in the creation of this content.

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